SHTF?????
Well. . . it looks like for .308 surplus tsHAShtf, unless you purchase LC at (currently) not-such-a-deal prices.
As for surplus, from what I'm hearing and reading, there won't be any more .308 surplus, because of import/export bans (that's what I read) and as for .223, well. . . the US military is needing all that they can get, and are buying from outside the US sources. (There goes the foreign surplus supply, for us civilians.) As for anymore 8mm surplus, I've read that when the supply that is in the US now is gone. . . it's gone.
With that said, IF I were in the market for a NEW SHTF rifle, I'd go for a lever gun in either .357 or .44 magnum.
Granted, you won't find surplus ammo for it, but, no matter where you go, you will find some sort of either ammo.
I've gone from thinking long range shots, to short/medium range shots, to surplus ammo availability, to no ammo supplies available, to what can I REASONABLY carry and/or expect to obtain.
For $1,000. . . . you could get a Marlin 1894 and LOTS of ammo. Literally. . . . LOTS of ammo.
That's my 2¢. Thanks for reading.